F1: Lotus unveils first image of its 2014 E22 (+photo)

Lotus F1 Team unexpectedly released Friday morning an image of its 2014 Formula 1 car, just as McLaren was unveiling its MP4-29.

The E22 retains its famous black livery.

Gerard Lopez’s Genii Business Exchange logo appears on the sidepods while the logo PDVSA, the Venezuelan petroleum company close to new driver Pastro Maldonado, appears on the engine cover and the rear wing endplates.

Lotus will not participate in next week’s Jerez winter test.

The British team also announced this morning that boss Eric Boullier had left the team with immediate effect, with Lopez taking over the duties of team principal.

Lotus E22-Renault. (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)

Later Friday, Lotus released with second image of the E22. (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)